I have shared on several occasions that socializing has been detrimental to my adherence to the candida diet. I was faced with another challenge this past Saturday night. It was friend’s birthday, so we all got together to take her to dinner. As I walked in the restaurant, fashionably late of course, the wine was already pouring. I didn’t know if I had the strength to resist but as the waiter came over and asked me if I wanted a glass I politely declined. This set the stage for the rest of the night and I made it through the birthday celebration alcohol free. I guess I cheated a bit with my entree as I ate shrimp scampi with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. The menu for the restaurant was online so I picked out this meal a few days in advance as it seemed the least candida diet offensive. There was cream in the potatoes and salt but all in all not the complete disaster it could have been, especially since we were at an Italian restaurant. And yes, I even passed on the bread and appetizers. I was very proud of myself to sticking to the plan that night, temptation surrounded me and I managed to get through just fine. Now I know it can be done. It will still take a little planning but it does not have to be a choice between adherence to the candida diet and socializing. I can find a way to mix the two.
Right now I am functioning on no sleep and without a weekly candida diet menu and I am exhausted and stressed. I have been having a lot of trouble sleeping over the last few weeks and it has finally caught up with me. I was so tired on Sunday that I just skipped the weekly grocery shopping and menu planning. I have not totally abandoned the candida diet as I have just been winging it with rotisserie chickens from the grocery store, Brown Minute Rice, Trader Joe’s Brown Rice Pasta and frozen vegetables. I can’t believe that it is already Wednesday. In order to try to have the remainder of the week go a little more smoothly I decided to stop this morning and create a menu for the rest of the week. I will have to sneak to the store a little later today. I figure that it is never too late to plan.
Candida Diet Menu for the Week of April 11, 2010
Sunday
Breakfast: Gluten Free Yeast Free Pancakes
Lunch: Brown Rice Fussilli Pasta with Sea Salt and Olive Oil
Dinner: Bunless Turkey Burgers, Brown Rice Pilaf and String Beans (I used Brown Minute Rice)
Monday
Breakfast: Gluten Free Yeast Free Pancakes
Lunch: Brown Rice Fussilli Pasta with Sea Salt and Olive Oil
Dinner: Rotisserie Chicken, String Beans, Brown Minute Rice
Tuesday
Breakfast: Two Boiled Eggs with Sea Salt and Black Pepper (Kids have cereal)
Lunch: Potato Soup
Dinner: Rotisserie Chicken, String Beans, Brown Minute Rice
Wednesday
Breakfast: Gluten Free Yeast Free Pancakes
Lunch: Tuna with Yeast Free Mayonnaise on Rice Cakes
Dinner: Easy Chicken Noodle Soup and Salad
Thursday
Breakfast: Gluten Free Yeast Free Pancakes
Lunch: Grilled Chicken Salad with Creamy Herb Salad Dressing
Dinner: Baked Chicken, Brown Rice and Beans
Friday
Breakfast: Gluten Free Yeast Free Pancakes
Lunch: Baked Potato and Salad
Dinner: Ratatouille over Brown Rice
Saturday
Breakfast: 2 Boiled Eggs
Lunch: Applegate Farm’s Oven Roasted Turkey Breast on Rice Cakes
Dinner: Cheeseless Lasagna
Weekly Snacks
Sage Valley Corn Tortillas Chips, 365 Brand Black Olives, Ener-G Wylde Gluten Free Pretzels (For my little one. Please note that these are not candida diet friendly as they contain yeast), Cape Cod Potato Chips (for the kids), Air Popped Popcorn, Cucumbers, Homemade Salsa, Homemade Hummus and Variety of Fruit (for the kids)
I am sure you know that most restaurants will go out of their way to cook the food the way you want it. When I go to our favorite Italian restaurant, I have them cook me steak well done with nothing on it and steamed vegetables.
The shrimp scampi must not of bothered you and I am sure it tasted much better than my steak.
Speaking of lack of sleep, I was also having trouble sleeping and found I am low on magnesium. I am now taking supplements and sleeping much better.
Hi Terry,
You are so right. Most restaurants will cater to your special dietary needs. The shrimp scampi did not bother me fortunately. I would have loved to stay completely yeast free but I have to be happy for baby steps.
I am glad the magnesium helped you with your sleep problem. I am using an herbal sleep aid right now and have started to take my vitamins and supplements again, one of which is magnesium so I hope it helps me too. Thanks for stopping by.
Be well,
Tennille